The one with Larry Smith: What is Music?

Today I visited my friend Larry Smith in his beautiful home in London, Ontario, Canada. Press the ‘play’ button above to listen to today’s episode.

Larry is an old friend whom I met during my years as a swing dancer. He led a group called The Jitterbugz and played lots of swing-era jazz that was just perfect for dancers. Over the years we kept in touch and it was great to spend this time with him.

I learned a lot from Larry today and I have no doubt his style will influence me as I get better in my playing.

Enjoy this first episode and drop me a note below!

Larry Smith

Larry Smith has been a professional guitarist since 1973. He has given guitar performances all over North America, in Europe and in asia with pop groups, folk groups, blues bands and jazz combos which demanded that he’d learn and know many different types of music and guitar styles.

He has taught guitar since 1980, working with guitarists in helping them prepare for admission requirements into music studies at various schools including the Unversity Of Western Ontario, Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College, Mohawk College in Hamilton and Humber College in Toronto.

Larry has given instruction to numerous other guitar teachers, offering them better understanding of the guitar and/or music in general, helping develop improved teaching techniques and skills.

Larry’s Gear

Larry Smith playing “Mike,” his 1944 Epiphone Triumph

Larry has a number of guitars, and admitted to having gas: guitar acquisition syndrome 🙂

His favourite, at least when I visited him, seemed to be a 1944 semi-hollow Epiphone Triumph, which he named Mike after his brother. It has a single Dearmond pickup.